SAJ delivers well-received public speaking workshop

The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) hosted a successful Public Speaking and Presentation Skills workshop at its Newport West headquarters in Kingston on Thursday.

The skill-heavy seminar was presented by award-winning journalist Janella Precius, who guided the participants throughout a series of activities aimed at building confidence, engaging with an audience and improving their delivery. Precius, in focusing on their respective performances, provided methods – to include practical storytelling techniques and effective use of body language – that may be used to prepare them for various speaking opportunities.

Participants, representing interests in shipping, finance, manufacturing, and communications, shared overwhelmingly positive responses for the course presented.

Danah Cameron, group public relations manager at the Jamaica Broilers Group, said she attended because “it was important for me to gather tools that would ensure consistent delivery, not just for me, but for my team members.

“Today’s takeaways were amazing. Coming from a public-speaking background, it is interesting how we take things for granted, where we’re looking, what our tone of voice is, what our body language, our posture is. It was good to get a reminder today of all the things that matter, how connecting with people is really what you’re focusing on when you’re doing a speech of any kind.”

Account Executive at ECU Worldwide, Meisha Richardson, added: “I really wanted the opportunity to hone my own skills, to be comfortable in expressing myself in the professional space. Today we got great practice. I really thought we were just going to sit down, hide behind a PowerPoint (and) my laptop, do some work, but it was very engaging, and the activities allowed us all to practise those areas that we are having challenges working on. I appreciate that it was a practical, hands-on experience.”

Andrea Forbes-Brown, assistant accountant at the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, said her goal in registering for the course was to enhance her public-speaking techniques. “The challenge I was having, that was addressed, is being relaxed,” said Forbes-Brown, continuing, “and I’ve gotten ideas on how I should relax during my presentations.”

The advice, which she will also employ, to anyone having issues with confidently speaking publicly is to “practise and be consistent”.

The workshop is the SAJ’s first in-person delivery since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, following several online seminars, including project management, hazardous materials response training and Microsoft Excel, since the start of the year.